Application, admission, and degree-granting requirements and regulations of educational programs offered by the Fairbanks School of Public Health are applied equitably to all individuals, applicants and students regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or national origin.
Master of Science in Biostatistics Applicants
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
- Official GRE scores
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (except Indiana University)
- College Calculus I, II, Multivariate Calculus and Linear Algebra
- Competent written and oral communication skills.
- Other admission factors include strong references, work experience, and personal statement. Students meeting these requirements are not guaranteed admission.
MS in Biostatistics applications and supplemental materials must be submitted to SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). SOPHAS is meant to facilitate the collection of common application materials and general information. For more information and frequently asked questions please visit sophas.org. In addition to the SOPHAS application all applicants will be required to complete a short application to the IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) Online Graduate And Professional Admissions Application system at the link provided within the SOPHAS application.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Applicants who have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of below a 3.0 are required to submit official scores from the GRE taken within the past 5 years. The cumulative undergraduate GPA is calculated using all undergraduate grades earned from all colleges and universities attended.
For detailed information on the GRE score reporting system please visit www.GRE.org.
Applicants must submit GRE or substituted scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 0167.
Personal Statement
The personal statement should be 750 words and can be uploaded to the Personal Statement section of SOPHAS. In your own words, describe experiences that have shaped your interest in public health and biostatistics. Discuss your past education, experience, and current professional objectives. You are encouraged to comment on your plans to use your education and training, the needs and /or challenges you perceive as important in the field, and any personal qualities, characteristics and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in the field of biostatistics.
Personal Statement can be uploaded electronically to the SOPHAS application
Resume
For each position on the resume or CV, provide the job title, employing agency, dates employed, and responsibilities held. Indicate any additional strengths or skills such as fluency in foreign languages, research experience, teaching experience, community service and demonstration of leadership skills. Include professional certifications, honors, and awards.
Resume or CV can be uploaded electronically into SOPHAS and should not be mailed.
Transcript
US Applicants
Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University campuses. U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.
Applicants are required to enter all U.S. coursework. Entering U.S. coursework allows SOPHAS to calculate GPAs that institutions use in reviewing applications, provides a way for institutions to review applications using electronic review forms and also allows for a mechanism to gather aggregate information about prior coursework. SOPHAS uses official transcripts to verify the self-reported coursework. This process significantly expedites the institution review process.
For regular mail, please send your transcript to:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For Overnight Delivery Only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-612-2090
Applicants who have not earned a degree at the time of application submission will be required to submit an official transcript upon acceptance to the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health. This official transcript should indicate your degree earned and date of conferral. If you did not earn your degree at the time you applied to SOPHAS, please send an updated official transcript with degree earned and date of conferral to:
IU Fairbanks School of Public Health
Office of Student Services and Admissions
Attn: Shawne Mathis
1050 Wishard Blvd., 6th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46202
It is strongly recommended that all transcripts are submitted no later than April 1 to allow adequate time to verify transcripts by the May 1 deadline.
International Applicants
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least 1 month in advance of the application deadline (Spring - September 15 | Fall - March 1). Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently. Go to www.wes.org/sophas for more information.
Transcripts must be sent from institution in the institutions sealed envelope directly to:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For Overnight Delivery Only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-612-2090
Recommendations
Three letters of recommendation are required from professional sources that can provide an unbiased critical assessment of your abilities, skills and strengths and weaknesses. Examples of professional and academic sources are academic advisors, professors, preceptors or immediate supervisors. Examples of sources that are not acceptable include coworkers, colleagues, classmates and relatives.
Recommendation letters must be submitted electronically to SOPHAS.
Interview
The interviewees are invited at the discretion of the Admission Committee.
The MS in Biostatistics Admissions Committee conducts interviews using Skype video conferencing for applicants who are unable to travel to Indianapolis for the interview. Skype is a free software application that allows users to connect through the internet to communicate. Note that applicants will need access to a webcam and microphone for the interview.
Skype System Requirements (taken from Skype website)
- PC running Windows® 2000, XP, Vista or 7. (Windows 2000 users require DirectX 9.0 for video calls).
- Internet connection (broadband is best, GPRS is not supported for voice calls, and results may vary on a satellite connection).
- Speakers and microphone - built-in or separate.
- For voice and video calls we recommend a computer with at least a 1GHz processor, 256 MB RAM and of course a webcam.
- For High Quality Video calls you will need a high quality video webcam and software, a dual-core processor computer and a fast broadband connection (384 kbps).
International Applicants
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health requires applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions to prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be under two years old.
The preferred minimum English language test scores for admission to the Fairbanks School of Public Health are:
- Internet-based TOEFL: minimum score of 79
- Computer-based TOEFL: minimum score of 213
- Paper-based TOEFL: minimum score of 550
- IELTS (total band score): minimum score of 6.5
Applicants must submit:
- TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 5688.
- IELTS scores can be uploaded electronically to SOPHAS and official copy sent to IUPUI School Code 1325
For more information about:
IUPUI English Placement Test
- International applicants who reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit TOEFL, ILETS or IUPUI EAP (English for Academic Purposes) exam scores.
- International applicants who do not reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application and, if admitted to the MS Program, must also complete EAP Exam upon arrival to Indianapolis.
- The USMLE and ECFMG do not fulfill the required proof of English proficiency when applying to the MS Program. Applicants who have passed the USMLE or ECFMG must also submit TOEFL, IELTS or EAP Scores.
To schedule a test date and time please call Testing Center at 317-274-2620. For more information:
Apply Now
You may apply to our MS in Biostatistics program online via SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service.
Remember to designate the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health as one of your school choices, along with your desired program.
The application deadline for Fall admission is May 1. All required application documents must be submitted by the MS in Biostatistics program deadline.
We'll notify you by e-mail once your application has been received. If you have questions about the application process, contact student services (317) 274-2000. If you have questions about the MPH program, contact Shawne Mathis, snmathis@iu.edu.
All students must apply to IUPUI through Graduate CAS, but applicants do not have to resubmit any of the documents previously submitted to SOPHAS.